A Living Systems Theory Approach to Human-Computer Interface Design

This paper presents Living Systems Theory (Miller, 1978) as a conceptual framework for human-computer interface (HCI) design. Many researchers and practitioners in the field of HCI design have used systems terms and concepts in their work; however, it is not clear that an integrated systems approach has been taken in the field of HCI design. Living Systems Theory (LST) is proposed as the means for obtaining a conceptual framework for the study of the HCI. Miller clearly defines terms and concepts that can serve as a “common language” to improve communication within and across disciplines. It is likely that a multidisciplinary field such as HCI design could benefit from LST. Specifically, by adopting this “common language”, researchers and practitioners in the field of HCI could improve communication with other disciplines which could facilitate the sharing or information across disciplines.